Big Boy brought thousands of people and generated millions of dollars for Roseville

(FOX40.COM) — From July 11 to July 14, UP 4014 ‘Big Boy’ called Roseville home and brought tens-of-thousands of people into Placer County’s largest city, bolstering the local economy.

As part of Union Pacific’s ‘Big Boy’ UP4014 2024 Westward Bound Tour, Roseville was one of two major display days stops as the worlds largest operating steam locomotive crossed five states.

Tens of thousands of people welcomed Big Boy on July 11 as it entered Oroville, headed to Sacramento and eventually made its way to the Largest Railyard in the West, in Roseville.

While the awaiting crowd on Thursday baring the 115°F heat was impressive the swell of people into historic downtown and old town Roseville on Friday and Saturday was rather unbelievable.

According to the City of Roseville, around 30,000 people visited downtown Roseville to see the Big Boy between Friday and Saturday.

Along with visiting the historic steam locomotive, people were also seen visiting local businesses like Railroad Hobbies and Goose Port Public House on Vernon Street.

According to the city, an estimated $2.97 million was generated between the Friday and Saturday events by local businesses.

Along with generating a lot of dollars for Roseville’s downtown, Placer Valley Tourism CEO Kim Summers said that in the two day period area hotels recorded 200 room nights.

After visiting Roseville, Bog Boy began his homeward bound leg of the tour where the locomotive and accompanying cars pass through the foothills, Donner Pass and into Nevada.

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